From skin problems to ailments, Ayurveda is the answer to all

Hon. Dr. Tambe, please advice on how to remove excessive fat from the liver.
—Melita Reich from Mainz

According to Ayurveda, the liver or yakrut is one of the locations for Pitta dosha. Thus excess fat in this location is not normal. To remove excess fat anywhere in the body or to prevent additional fat deposits in any organ, it is vital that the digestive fire or agni of the body remains active and in a balanced state. Agni requires a very fine balance because when it is either strongly ignited or very dulled, this fire can lead to numerous ailments.

Here are a number of solutions against a fatty liver. Fresh aloe vera gel is excellent for improving liver function. Prepare it in the following way. In a small iron skillet or tadka pan, take a little ghee. Heat it on a low flame. Add one teaspoon fresh aloe vera pulp to the ghee and roast until the stickiness of the aloe is reduced. Remove the pulp into a small bowl, add a pinch of turmeric, mix well and take with water on an empty stomach every morning. A simple but extremely effective practice is to have drinking water hot at all times. A mixture of lemon juice, ginger juice and rock salt before meals will help to keep the agni in the digestive tract in a healthy condition. After meals, two teaspoons of Punarnasasava with water is very helpful. Bilwasan jam, made from bel-aegle marmelos and other medicinal herbs, is a good tonic for the liver. Liver is the main organ that removes toxins. When it is not functioning well, a thorough body cleansing and detox treatment i.e. Panchakarma that includes a complete Virechan, laxative treatment is essential to keep Pitta in optimal condition. As far as diet is concerned for people facing this problem, it is best to refrain from non-vegetarian food or wheat, especially at dinner time. Instead, include millets, rice or moong dal khichadi. Avoid eating heavy, deep fried food in general, and, of course, alcohol is a strict no for any liver ailments.

Respected Sir,
I am a 26-year-old woman, suffering from acne issues since eight years. It is not getting permanently cured. Please help.
—Vijaya

According to Ayurveda, acne, pimples etc have their root cause in the blood and hormones. It  would be useful to know if your monthly cycles are regular and healthy.  Since the skin on the face is more delicate and sensitive than the rest  of the body, we strongly advise against using any chemicals on it.  Switch to herbal face care, or use a home made mixture of turmeric,  sandalwood and cinnamon. Alternatively, San massage powder contains herbs like turmeric, sandalwood, ananta mula and  is used in mixture of water, rose water, milk or besan flour. This  recipe can be used instead of soap, or as a face pack. Apply a cooling coconut based oil like Rose Beauty, a few drops gently massaged on the face every night before sleeping. To help balance the oil secretions on the face, taking a facial steam bath with a decoction of neem leaves twice a week, followed by application of San Pitta face pack.

Ananta San, two tablets twice daily, Avipattikar powder after dinner and Feminine Balance syrup after meals will be beneficial. Avoid eating spicy, oily and deep fried foods.

I have a 25-year-old son who has complaint of pain in the heel since a year. The pain is so severe that normal walking is possible only by regular intake of painkiller drugs.
—Prabha

Basically, such problems occur due to imbalance of the Vata dosha in the body. Hence, the immediate remedy would be to apply oil all over the body and especially at the heels and legs before sleep. Use traditionally prepared Ayurvedic products like Santulan Abhyanga Oil. A hot  water bath for the feet for about 15 minutes before sleeping will also  help. The temperature of water should be hot yet bearable to the skin. Add little salt to the water. Shanti Oil contains  herbs that are nourishing for the bones and should be used for this  condition daily with a gentle massage at the affected area.

Another great home remedy is hot sand fomentation and many of our patients have experienced quick relief with this therapy. Apply Shanti Oil on the heel and then apply heat on the painful area with a sand potli or bag. Use clean beach sand and heat it in an iron kadai/pot, pack the heated sand into a thick cotton cloth and tie the ends of the cloth to make a potli. Use only as much heat is tolerable for the individual. Internal medicines like Sinhanaad Guggul, Gokshuradi Guggul, Vaatabal etc may need to be administered under the guidance of the Ayurvedic physician. Instead of taking pain killers regularly it is better to balance the disturbed Vata dosha and treat the root cause of the problem. Avoid situations that make the feet cold and wet, Avoid Vata increasing food like capsicum, brinjal, fermented food, beans, gawarphali and cold things, especially at night.

The author is founder of Atmasantulana Village, a world-renowned holistic healing centre. ayurveda@dnaindia.net